Trauma Informed Services - Understanding The Layers of Trauma

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A behavior is an attempt to meet a need and therefore has value. (Amy Hagan, 2014)

The above statement says it best. Ms. Hagan’s fantastic presentation began with a short video ‘clip’ to apply to the exercise “Client Video Assessment”. The video was Seabiscuit. In the “Client” Assessment of Seabiscuit, we identified his (the client) characteristics, personality and traits, before, his trauma(s). Then we identified his trauma exposures, “what happened to
Seabiscuit,” and his poly victimization, complex or continuing and ongoing vicarious traumatization, throughout a long period versus a single event.
Then there was considerable and much needed time spent on” understanding trauma” and the many layers of trauma, the physical and psychological effects on the brain and subsequent behaviors resulting from trauma. What is traumatization, what is traumatic injury in physical vs. psychological, as well, the types of trauma; acute, chronic, and complex with a basic understanding of brain development to show how trauma changes that development.
The CDC with Kaiser Permanente conducted one of the largest ever investigations into child maltreatment and physiology, resulting in the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). The fundamental finding in the ACE research is that children exposed to domestic violence, child abuse and other trauma will suffer more illnesses and injuries throughout their lives and have a shorter life expectancy. (ACE Study)
The past few years have been innovative in actually being able to see the brain damage caused by psychological as well as physiological trauma, in addition. A marked decrease in IQ and reactions when under high to low stress. These significant advancements by neuro-science have been lea...

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...ffer horrendous

damage of vicarious trauma and trauma informed services model being widely embraced will

and can only be a great thing.

Again, as it is so clearly identified in Seabiscuit, this is not just the “one” victim/survivor,

but in fact an entire community. It is simply humanity. Indifference can no longer apply here, I

know it does, but with the trauma informed services, I believe that, inward out, from so many in

the human service field, and especially being taught in victim service classes, that one day we

can and will truly begin and as a community approach all traumatized children and humans in a

whole different way. One of actual healing, one of services truly needed. I am excited to be a

part of a strong human world change and look forward to the coming years of networking with

like-minded in all areas of trauma informed services.

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